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@uiten ptetre getest ffirrp IMPROVED COTTON AND lAY-PRESS.`

@tige .stimule formt tu iu tipa trtter patent mrt mukbtg- :out titte time;

vTo ALL wHoM 1r MAY coNoERN:

Be it known that I, BARNABAS B. ALFRED, of La Grange, in the county ot Troop, and the State of Georgia,

'have invented an Improved Cot-ton and Hay-Press; and I do hereby declare the `following to be a full,`clear, and

exact description of the same, suioient to enable those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to` construct and use the same, reference being had to the'aceompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, i

and in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. r

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through the centre of the same.

This invention consists in combining a double-acting compound screw with a follow-block and press-box in r such a manner that, in addition to the power applied by the lever to the screw, the weight of` the apparatus assists in compressing the cotton. 4 l

In the drawings, A represents a. frame, supportingthe press-box B of my implvedpress. D'is the followblock, working in the press-box by means of ascrew, c, which screws up and down in a hollow screw, c', below` l it, the latter being provided not only with threads on the insideof its'walls, but others on the outside, running in a direction opposite to that ot the threads of -the upper screw e. The lower screw e" extends slightly below 'd the bottom o' the press-box, while its hea-d is provided with sockets for the insertionofa handspilic, H, bywhich to turn it.

The frame A is used only when the press is operated in thefleld as a portable press. When thus used, the

lower end of the `screw c is provided with a. journal, i, which steps in a socket, fixed to the bed-timbers of `the frame A. A

When usedas a stationary press, in a gin-house, the frame A may be removed, the pieces a a alone remaining. V'.llhese pieces are fastened to the upper floor of the house, and the press-box is left to work up'and down between' them, asvbefore. 1The power is applied at the bottom in the lower room, and thebale is removed from the top oi' the press in the upper room. i l, i l "The construction of the cotton-press, thus described, is exceedingly simple, and its operation economical yand eiective. When the power is applied at the lever H, the follow-box descends, and the'pressho'x, at the same instant, ascends. When the bale has been pressed by the two, thus acting together, a-reversal of the operation prepares-the press to receive the cotton for another bale.` There is nothing to get out of order. The` fl y y box, frame, and double screw constituteethe whole; `and while, in this combination, they make a presspof great I j power, they make one,' also, which cannot get out of order until the parts actually wear out wthlong use. A`

child can 'understand its operation, and can work it, within the limits of his strength, 4as well asa man.

It will be observed that, in a press of this construction, theweight of the press-box is utilized, acting in,l

addition to the power exerted by the lever II, and assisting in compressing the cotton aboveV the followblockt` I do not confine myself to any particular means of causing Athe screw to .operate the press Vand follow-block,

but, in general', I attach a plate, e, to a strong framc,iF, projecting down a few inches Ybelowrthe bottom of the` press-box, and` cause the outer threadsof the screw cf to operate upon a female screw.in this plate, thuszmoving` the frame F, and with it the press-box. The plate e may be bolted or otherwise fastened to the frame F in any:

convenient manner.`

g Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein; and desireto sectie by'Letteis;Patent,lis- The'combination of the follow-block 'D and pressfbox B with a compound screw,"c`c,.resting on a pivot, t',

and operatingin such a manner that the part c screws up and down in the "part'e, andthe latter screws the press-box B up and down, at the same time causingthe follow-block and pressfboxtomove in opposite direci tions, with the united velocity of both the outer and inner threads of the part c', in the mannerand for the purposes speciiied 4- t R. B. ALFRED.

Witnesses A. E. BARBER,

F. L'. EUNGEREORD. 

